Video monitor mount

ABSTRACT

A video monitor mount includes a first piece adapted to be fastened to a wall and a second piece adapted to be fastened to a video monitor. The first piece includes a bubble level and a first mating component and the second piece includes a second mating component. The first piece or the second piece comprises an extension arm having a rotation joint that comprises a brass bushing.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/378,995 as a continuation application. Thisapplication claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/663,031, titled Video Monitor Mount, filed Mar. 18, 2005, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mount for a video monitor. Morespecifically, the invention is directed to a wall mount for mounting aflat panel television or video monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current video monitor technology is moving rapidly to flat screens. LCDand plasma screens are popular flat screen products. These flat screenscan be mounted in a traditional manner on a horizontal surface byplacement on a stand. It is also now popular to mount flat screens on awall. Problems with mounting flat screens onto a wall include makingsure that the screen is level. Also, a cord or cords that are connectedto the back of the flat screen monitor can give a messy appearance.Further, rotating support arms can be “sticky” and prevent easy rotationof the mounted monitor. Finally, the installation process itself can bedifficult or frustrating. An installer may never know if the mount isactually, properly placed together. If improperly assembled, then thereis a possible situation of an unstable mounting relationship.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall mount thatovercomes these and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present video monitor mount includes a combination of featuresdirected to mounts for flat screen monitors for television, video, andcomputer applications. The mounts include one or more of an integralbubble level, a cord management hook, an audible click installationspring and a brass bushing/stainless steel rotating joint. Thesefeatures simplify and organize the mounting process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the presentmount.

FIG. 2-5 are perspective, side, elevation, top elevation and rear views,respectively, of a second embodiment of a mount described herein.

FIG. 6-9 are perspective, side elevation, top elevation and rear views,respectively, of another embodiment of a mount as described herein.

FIG. 10 is a perspective, exploded view of a fourth embodiment of amount as described herein.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded, perspective views of mounts like thoseshown in FIGS. 2-9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a mount asdescribed herein.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the mount shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the mount shown in FIG. 13focusing on the cord management hook feature of the mount.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are rear elevation views of the mount shown in FIG.13.

FIGS. 17A to 17C are side elevation views of the mount shown having aflat screen monitor mounted on it in various tilt positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The attached figures are alternative examples of mounts in accordancewith the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a simple,wall-flush mount 10. FIGS. 2 through 5 are perspective, right sideelevation, top, and rear perspective views of an alternative embodimentof the present mount having two extension arms. FIGS. 6 through 9 areperspective, right side elevation, top, and rear perspective views of astill further embodiment of the present mount having a single extensionarm. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment ofthe mount. FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded views that display some of theworking components of the support arms. FIGS. 13-17 show various view ofa still further embodiment of the mount described herein. Of course,other variations and configurations of the present mount may bedeveloped that include one or more of the distinctive features of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 1, the mount 10 includes a two piece system having a wall piece11 and a monitor piece 12. The wall piece 11 is adapted to be mounted ona wall or other vertical surface. The wall piece 11 includes a bubblelevel 20 to ensure that the wall piece is mounted in a vertical fashion.The wall piece 11 also includes a cord management hook 35 adapted toorganize and retain the cords that feed into and out of the back of themonitor. At the top of the wall piece 11 is a spring lock 31. In FIG. 1,the wall piece 11 embodies a male mounting component. When the monitorpiece 12 is mounted in a sliding fashion over the wall piece 11, thespring retainer 31 will give an audible snap to let an installer knowthat the mounting piece 12 has been fully and properly engaged over thewall piece 11. The spring retainer 31 releaseably locks the monitorpiece 12 in place on the wall piece 11. The shape of the wall piece 11enables it to be a male mating component and is more narrow at the topand diverges at least partly so that the middle or base of the wallpiece is wider than the top. The mounting piece 12 includes a sleevethat is a female mating component 30 corresponding to the shape of thewall piece 11 and is matingly received thereon. The female component 30slides down over and around the wall piece 11. As a friction fit, thefemale component 30 will press against the retaining clip 31 until ithas slid completely over the wall piece 11. The mounting piece 12 alsoincludes an “X” component 25 that is used to attach to the back of avideo monitor. There are included multiple holes 26 that correspond to abroad range of monitor products and make it attachable to the back ofthe monitor.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the mount 110.In this embodiment of a mount 110 there is also a wall piece 111 thatincludes a bubble level (not shown) a spring clip 131 and a cordmanagement hook 135. This wall piece 111 is functionally identical tothe wall piece 11 described earlier. Likewise, the female piece 112includes a female component 130 that mounts over the wall piece 111 in afashion similar to the monitor piece 12 described earlier. There isshown an “X” component 125 having holes 126 for fastening to the backmonitor. The additional; features of this mount 110 include theextension arms 140 and 141 that are rotatably connected to each other.There is a further knob 142 that allows the “X” component 125 to beswiveled or rotated upwardly or downwardly to direct the face of aconnected monitor in a desirable direction.

FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate a still further embodiment of a mount 210.This mount includes the wall piece 211 having an integral bubble level(not shown). There is also a cord management hook 235 and a mountingspring clip 231. The female piece 212 includes a female component 230that functions similarly to that female component 30 described inconnection with FIG. 1. There is also an “X” component 225 that isadapted to fasten to the back of the monitor. Holes 226 are provided tofasten the mount to the back of the monitor. In this embodiment 210, asingle extension arm 240 is rotatably connected to the mount piece 212.Similarly, there is a screw knob 242 to allow for up and down rotationsimilar to the knob 142 described in connection with FIGS. 2 through 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of a mount 310. This mountincludes the wall piece 311 having an integral bubble level 320. Thereis also a mounting spring clip 331. The wall piece 311 further includesa female mating component 330 attached to it. The monitor piece 312includes a male mating component 313 fixed to it. The male component 313is adapted to be received in the female component 330. The femalecomponent 330 is wider at its top than at its base to thereby receiveand hold secure the male component 313. Once the male component 313 isfully inserted within the female component 330, the mounting spring clip331 will lock the mounting component 312 in place. The monitor component312 further includes braces 325 which are adapted to be fastened to theback of a monitor. The braces 325 are at least partially rotatablyconnected to the monitor piece 312 so that a monitor may be titledforward or back with respect of the mount.

The video monitor that is supported by the present mounting system canbe quite heavy. Accordingly, for any system which includes the rotationjoints shown, for instance, in the mounts of FIGS. 2-9, the movement ofthe extension arms must be made smooth and simple to make the mounteffective. If the joints have a high level of friction between them,then the rotation feature becomes difficult to exercise if possible atall. A “sticky” or “jerky” movement may risk a failure of the wholesystem if a user tries to force the movement of the monitor. Turning nowto FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown the use of a brass bushing 450 and550 to facilitate the smooth and easy rotation of those joints.Specifically with reference to FIG. 11, the mounting apparatus 400includes a support arm 440. This support arm 440 supports the ultimatebracket 445 that ultimately carries the mounting support for a monitor.Support arm 440 includes a vertical aperture 442 in which is mounted around bushing 450. The bracket 445 includes a male rod 446 that isreceived inside the cylindrical aperture inside the bushing 450. A bolt451 passes through a washer 454 and through the male post 446 where itis secured to a nut 452 that is seated in an aperture 453 of the bracket454. Once tightened, the bracket 445 is able to be rotated about onindependent of the arm 440. This rotation is simplified by the brassbushing 450 coupled with the stainless steel bolt 451 and the othermetal components 446 and 442 that come in contact with the brassbushing. The softness and durability of the brass bushing 450 facilitateeasy rotation yet durability for a mounting apparatus.

FIG. 12 is another view showing the use of a brass bushing 550 inconnection with a dual support arm 540 and 541 system. The support arms540 and 541 are rotatably connected through use of a post component 546of support arm 540 that is received in the cylindrical aperture in themiddle of the brass bushing 550. The brass bushing 550 is received inthe circular aperture 542 of the second support arm 541. A stainlesssteel bolt 551 passes through a washer 554 and is threaded into a nut552 that is seated within the aperture 553. As described in connectionwith FIG. 11, the soft nature of the brass bushing in connection withthe remaining steel parts of the support arm provide for smooth and easyrotation of the support arms with respect to each other.

As shown, but not further described in the drawings, other brassbushings may be used in connection with each rotating joint to ensurethat the entire rotating function and swivel function of the mount ismade simple and smooth.

In each of the embodiments of the mounts described herein, there is botha male mating component and a female mating component. Each of themounts is a two piece or two component system where the male componentembodies or is a part of and fixed to one piece and the female componentis a part of or embodies the other piece. In this two component system,the wall mount component is able to be fixed on a wall in a levelfashion using the integral bubble level. The male/female pieces are thenengineered so that they fit the male piece within the female piece tolikewise be oriented in a level manner. The audible click of the springclip in each case allows a user to have confidence with respect to theproper installation of the female component about the male component orvice versa. The respective clips also provide the extra insurance thatthe mount will not allow the monitor which it is supporting to slide outof place.

The material used to manufacture all of the components of the presentinvention must be rigid and durable enough to support the weight of avideo monitor. Different polymers and composites may be acceptable.Also, metal pieces including aluminum or steel may be used to accomplishthe present purpose. With respect to the cord management hooks 35, 135,and 235, this is a hook provided at the bottom of the respective wallpiece that allows for cables going into and out of the monitor to becollected and stored together. In each case, the spring clip 31, 131,and 231 must be made of a resilient material that provides an audiblesnap action once the mount is correctly assembled. This snap willprovide an audible confirmation to an installer that the mountingassembly is correctly pieced together.

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate a still further embodiment of a mount inaccordance with the present invention. The mount 600 includes a wallpiece 610 having an integral bubble level 612. The wall piece 610further includes a pair of cradles 614. The monitor piece 620 includes apair of vertical braces 624 that are adapted to be fashioned to the backof the monitor. The brackets 624 are rotatably mounted to a support bar622. The support bar 622 rests in and is carried by the cradle 614 ofthe wall piece 610. The monitor piece further includes a cord managementhook 626. The pitch of the brackets 624 may be varied by tilt bar 616that can be adjusted through using knob 618. The tilt bar 616 and knob618 are attached to the cradle 614 portion of the wall piece 610. FIGS.13 and 14 shown the assembled and exploded views of the mount 600 asdescribed. FIG. 15 is directed primarily to the cord management hook 626that is adapted to be hung from the support bar 622. It may be slid tovarious locations along that support bar 622. The hook 626 is fabricatedof a durable but flexible plastic material.

FIGS. 16A to 17C demonstrate the variability of the mount 600. In FIGS.16A and 16B, the mount 600 is shown with bracket 624 in a tight ornarrow configuration on the support bar 622 (FIG. 16A) and also in thewide or spread position on the support bar (FIG. 16B). FIGS. 16A to 16Billustrate that the mount may be used in connection with a broad rangeof monitors having different points of attachment along their laterallength on the back of the monitor. FIGS. 17A to 17C demonstrate how themonitor 630 may be mounted at variable pitches. The knob 618 will turnthe tilt bar 616 in such degrees as to tilt monitor upwardly, parallelto a wall or downwardly. The cord management hook 626 is shown as beingable to be flexibly manipulated to allow for all of the different pitchcourses for the mount.

Other variations and combinations of features will be apparent to thosewith skill in the art. Those variations are included within thedisclosure herein.

1. A video monitor mount comprising: a wall piece having an integralbubble level, the wall piece including a first cradle and a secondcradle separated from the first cradle; a support bar configured to besupported by the first cradle and second cradle, and wherein the supportbar is configured to extend between the first cradle and second cradle,and wherein the support bar is configured to rotate within the firstcradle and second cradle; and a cord management hook comprising a firstloop and a second loop, the second loop separated from the first loop,the first loop configured to mate with the support bar and to slidealong the support bar, and wherein the second loop is configured toreceive at least one cord.
 2. The mount of claim 1 wherein the wallpiece further includes a tilt bar extending between the first cradle andsecond cradle.
 3. The mount of claim 1 further comprising a firstmonitor bracket including a first aperture and a second monitor bracketincluding a second aperture, and wherein the support bar is configuredto slide within the first aperture and second aperture and wherein thefirst monitor bracket slides with respect to the support bar independentof the second monitor bracket and wherein the second monitor bracketslides with respect to the support bar independent of the first monitorbracket, and wherein the first monitor bracket includes a plurality ofscrew holes and a first channel, and wherein the second monitor bracketincludes a plurality of screw holes and a second channel, and whereinthe number of screw holes on the first monitor bracket is the same asthe number of screw holes on the second monitor bracket.
 4. A videomonitor mount comprising: a wall piece, the wall piece comprising afirst wall piece side, second wall piece side, third wall piece side andfourth wall piece side, wherein the first wall piece side and third wallpiece side are offset and substantially parallel, and wherein the secondwall piece side and fourth wall piece side are offset, wherein thesecond wall piece side connects the first wall piece side and third wallpiece side, and wherein the fourth wall piece side connects the firstwall piece side and third wall piece side, and wherein the first wallpiece side defines a first wall piece length and wherein the third wallpiece side defines a second wall piece length, and wherein the secondwall piece length exceeds the first wall piece length; a spring lockextending from the first wall piece side; a cord management hookextending from the third wall piece side; and a monitor piece, themonitor piece comprising a first monitor piece side, second monitorpiece side, third monitor piece side and fourth monitor piece side,wherein the first monitor piece side and third monitor piece side areoffset and substantially parallel, and wherein the second monitor pieceside and fourth monitor piece side are offset, wherein the secondmonitor piece side connects the first monitor piece side and thirdmonitor piece side, and wherein the fourth monitor piece side connectsthe first monitor piece side and third monitor piece side, and whereinthe first monitor piece side defines a first monitor piece length andwherein the third monitor piece side defines a second monitor piecelength, and wherein the second monitor piece length exceeds the firstmonitor piece length, and wherein the second monitor piece side includesa flange configured to mate with the second wall piece side, and whereinthe fourth monitor piece side includes a flange configured to mate withthe fourth wall piece side, and wherein the monitor piece includes aplurality of screw holes.
 5. The mount of claim 4 wherein the wall pieceincludes an integrated bubble level.
 6. The mount of claim 4 furthercomprising: a monitor plate; and at least a first extension armconnecting the monitor piece and the monitor plate, and wherein theplurality of screw holes are disposed on the monitor plate.
 7. The mountof claim 6 wherein the monitor plate comprises a x-shape.
 8. The mountof claim 6 wherein the monitor plate defines a monitor plate plane, andwherein the extension arm includes a tilt knob configured to control theangle defined between the monitor plate plane and a plane defines by themonitor piece.
 9. The mount of claim 4 wherein the spring lock comprisesa locking piece including an attachment portion and a locking portion,wherein the attachment portion is configured to attach to the wallpiece, and wherein the locking portion flexes with respect to the wallpiece, and wherein the locking portion includes a first wall, the firstwall configured to mate with the first monitor piece side.
 10. A videomonitor mount comprising: a wall piece having an integral bubble level;a first monitor bracket attached to the wall piece; and a second monitorbracket attached to the wall piece, the first monitor bracket separatedfrom the second monitor bracket.
 11. The mount of claim 10 wherein thefirst monitor bracket includes a plurality of screw holes, and whereinthe second monitor bracket includes a plurality of screw holes, andwherein the number of screw holes on the first monitor bracket is thesame as the number of screw holes on the second monitor bracket.
 12. Themount of claim 11 wherein the first monitor bracket includes a firstchannel and wherein the second monitor bracket includes a secondchannel.